Is the use of mobile phones everyday linked with increased risk of brain cancer? - Metafact

Is the use of mobile phones everyday linked with increased risk of brain cancer?

I feel like this is thrown around a lot - the idea that mobile phones can cause cancer and other health issues. Is there any truth to this, or are the effects small enough that we needn't worry about them?

score icon83%

Negative

From 6 verified experts:

5 answered Unlikely or higher


Joshua Muscat has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from Pennsylvania State University in Health

One needs to separate the question of increased risk with causality. There have been dozens of studies ranging from null results to increased risk on the ipsilateral side of the head where the phone is used. Rates of brain cancer have not increased in the last 20 years, or any increase found can be attributed to greater detection. Microwave radiation cannot damage DNA, and studies showing increased risks are often limited by study biases. Imagine if you were unfortunate enough to have received a diagnosis of a tumor on the right side of the head and then were questioned about which side of the head you used your phone. Even a small percent of patients who might not recall their usage pattern accurately and report right-sided usage when they were in fact left-handed users would result in a spurious finding of an increased risk.


It's a fair question since nearly everyone worldwide now owns a mobile device. The weight of the evidence indicates that mobile phones do not cause cancer and other health issues other than traffic and pedestrian accidents.




Answered about 7 years ago

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Joshua Muscat

Verified Expert

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